Thessaly
/ˈθɛsəli/noun
A historical region of central Greece, known in antiquity for its fertile plains and horse-breeding.
Did you know?Ancient Greek and Roman writers repeatedly portrayed Thessaly as a center of witchcraft, especially lunar magic and spells intended to draw down the Moon.
Etymological Timeline
Late Bronze Age–Archaic Period
Pre-Greek/Greek
Thessalia
“The ancient regional name; its ultimate origin is uncertain and may preserve a pre-Greek place-name.”
5th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Θεσσαλία (Thessalía)
“The region of Thessaly in central Greece, famed for its plains, cavalry, and powerful city-states.”
1st Century BCE
Latin
Thessalia
“The Greek region as named in Roman geographical and literary works.”
1st–2nd Century CE
Greek and Latin literature
Thessalia
“A legendary setting for witches and lunar sorcery in works associated with authors such as Apuleius and Lucan.”
Middle English–Early Modern English
English
Thessaly
“The traditional English form of the ancient Greek region-name.”
Modern English
English
Thessaly
“A region of central Greece, officially one of the country’s geographic regions.”